Sudden Allergic Reaction at Night in Cyprus: What to Do

Severe itching. Hives that keep spreading. Swollen lips. Tightness in the throat. In an allergic reaction, time matters more than anything. This guide tells you how to separate dangerous from mild, what to do in the first ten minutes, and where to find medicine at night in Cyprus.

First step: Anaphylaxis or mild allergy?

Two pictures, completely different responses.

Anaphylaxis — Call 112 right now

This is a medical emergency. Call 112 without second-guessing if any of the following appears:

Difficulty breathing or wheezing that gets worse.
Swelling of the tongue, throat, or lips that blocks swallowing or breathing.
A drop in blood pressure: dizziness, fainting, pale skin, racing heart.
A combination of rash and abdominal symptoms (pain, vomiting) or widespread itching with breathing symptoms.
Loss of consciousness or sudden confusion.

Anaphylaxis can be triggered by food (nuts, sesame, shellfish, eggs, milk, fish, wheat), by a wasp or bee sting, by medicines (antibiotics, NSAIDs), or by latex.

When you call 112, say "anaphylaxis", the patient's age, your address, and any known allergy.

If you have an EpiPen or Anapen

Use it now, on the outer thigh, through clothing if needed.
Call 112 immediately after (or in parallel).
Lie the patient down with legs raised, unless they are breathing badly — then a seated position.
One EpiPen may not be enough. A second dose may be needed after 5 to 15 minutes. In every case, the patient must go to hospital afterwards.

Mild allergic reaction

If symptoms stay limited to:

Hives or urticaria on one part of the body.
Red skin.
Itching.
Sneezing or a runny nose.
Symptoms that are not getting worse.

Then a night pharmacy and an antihistamine are usually enough.

Antihistamines available in Cyprus

Sold without prescription:

Cetirizine — sold as Zyrtec, Reactine.
Loratadine — sold as Claritine, Lorano.
Desloratadine — sold as Aerius.
Fexofenadine — sold as Telfast.

The non-drowsy second-generation type suits adults and children above each product's age threshold. Read the leaflet. Ask the pharmacist about dosage.

Paediatric syrups and drops exist. For more serious but not airway-threatening reactions, the pharmacist may suggest a topical hydrocortisone cream for the skin.

EpiPen and Anapen in Cyprus

Auto-injectable adrenaline is sold in Cyprus under two brand names:

EpiPen (0.3 mg for adults, 0.15 mg for children).
Anapen (0.5 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.15 mg).

A doctor's prescription is required. It is GESY-covered for registered patients with a documented anaphylaxis history.

Always check the expiry date. Adrenaline degrades.
Store at 15 to 25°C. Not the fridge, not the car.
Two units at home, one in your bag.

If you are in a tourist area and your spare has run out, a GP on duty can issue a prescription and a night pharmacy on the rotation can supply it. Call ahead.

How to find the night pharmacy

Pick your district:

Night Pharmacies Nicosia — capital and suburbs
Night Pharmacies Limassol — city and coast
Night Pharmacies Larnaca — airport and coastal towns
Night Pharmacies Paphos — heritage and resort areas
Night Pharmacies Ammochostos — Ayia Napa and Protaras

Phone the pharmacy first. If the exact product is out of stock, the pharmacist can redirect you to another on-call pharmacy. Full primer: how to find a night pharmacy in Cyprus.

Practical steps while you wait

Remove the trigger if it is visible: bee sting carefully so the venom sac does not break, a latex glove.
Do not drink water or take medicines by mouth if you have trouble swallowing or feel unsteady.
Track your breathing rate and any cough — paramedics will ask.
Photograph the food packaging or medicine packet if you can identify it. It helps with diagnosis.
Take someone with you to hospital if possible.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not inject EpiPen in the buttock — the correct site is the outer thigh.
Do not "wait and see" if breathing symptoms appear.
Do not rely on old antihistamines in anaphylaxis instead of adrenaline. Antihistamines help with the rash. They do not treat airway swelling or low blood pressure.
Do not refuse hospital transfer after using an EpiPen. A biphasic reaction can return 2 to 24 hours later.

GESY coverage

Prescription antihistamines and adrenaline auto-injectors are covered by GESY with the standard €1 co-payment per medicine. Anaphylaxis treatment at a GESY hospital is free at point of care. Detail at the Pharmaceutical Services.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does anaphylaxis start? Usually within minutes of exposure. Rarely delayed, up to two hours. For some foods (red meat) it can be 3 to 6 hours late.

Should I call 112 or drive to the hospital myself? Call 112. It is faster because paramedics start treatment at home and notify the hospital. Never drive yourself in anaphylaxis.

I am allergic to wasps. What do I keep at home? A non-expired EpiPen, an antihistamine, and a written action plan you have agreed with your allergist.

Should I take an antihistamine before eating, as a precaution? Not by default. For known allergies, discuss this with a doctor. It can mask early signs and delay your lifesaving response.

I am a tourist and do not speak Greek. Will 112 understand me? Yes. The Cyprus 112 operators speak English and other EU languages. Say "anaphylaxis" clearly and give your address.

Sources

GESY coverage, product registry, and services: Cyprus Ministry of Health — Pharmaceutical Services. The night pharmacy rotation is updated daily by the Cyprus Pharmaceutical Association and shown live on CyNightMeds.

Find tonight's pharmacy

Schedule sourced daily from the official Cyprus Pharmaceutical Association feed.